4-H Maker Festivals and Tech Wizards Expand to Multiple States

Project:

Expansion of 4-H Ohio Pilot-Tested Maker Festivals and Tech Wizards to Rural Areas in Multiple States

Member Institution:The Ohio State University

Location:
Kenton, OH, USA

Key Experts:

Mark Light

Role: Project Leader

Key Words

4-H & Youth
STEM
Maker Movement

Summary:

In 2006, the first Maker Faire was started in the San Francisco Bay area for makers to share with each other in a public venue. Because Extension is in every state and in most counties, we are equipped to grow this movement into more rural communities. The 4-H motto, “making the best better,” includes the word “making”. Extension has a history of hands-on learning and making for over 100 years, so we are primed to connect with these new audiences of makers. As the outreach arm of the University, Extension has an opportunity to not only provide access to information like it has for more than 100 years, but also to showcase through the maker movement the hands-on education we have been facilitating for years through 4-H. 4-H Making Festivals will combine the best of the maker movement with hands-on-learning. Extension staff will plan and implement five festivals in fall 2017 and spring of 2018. These will include youth from the STEM-focused 4-H Tech Wizards after-school program. These festivals will be replicated across the nation and at additional sites in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Indiana.

4-H Making Festivals will combine the best of the maker movement with hands-on-learning. Extension staff will plan and implement five festivals in fall 2017 and spring of 2018. These will include youth from the STEM-focused 4-H Tech Wizards after-school program. These festivals will be replicated across the nation and at additional sites in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Indiana.